Burke, a former Trek Bicycle Corp. executive, served as the state commerce secretary from 2005 to 2007 under then-Gov. Jim Doyle. She currently serves on the Madison School Board and is making his first run for statewide election.

The Marquette University poll last week showed her trailing Walker by just one percentage point among registered voters. Among those likely to vote for governor, the poll showed Burke leading the incumbent by one point.

Walker, a former Milwaukee County executive elected governor in 2010, is seeking a second four-year term amid widespread speculation that he also has national aspirations.

The election is Nov. 4.

During her campaign stop Saturday at the Green Bay fire station at 1701 W. Mason St., Burke described the race as a contest between her as a business executive and Walker as a career politician. Asked the biggest issue among voters, she said, "Jobs, jobs and more jobs."

Voters should hold Walker accountable, she said, for failing on his promise to create 250,000 jobs in Wisconsin. Instead, Wisconsin ranks last in job creation among all Midwestern states, she said.

"I know that we can do better than that," she said. "But we need to have the leadership that brings people together to take on these challenges."

Walker, who campaigned at the Vandervest motorcycle dealership at 1966 Velp Ave. in Howard, said that his administration has created more than 100,000 jobs — more than Burke created during her time as commerce secretary.

He also said voters are grateful for his work in reducing property taxes and holding the line on tuition at state universities. He promised that property taxes would go even lower if he is re-elected.

Acknowledging that the race with Burke is close, the Republican incumbent voiced optimism about the November election.

"We're better suited to create a better economy," he said, "and to create a better quality of life for all the people in this state."